Friday Fictioneers – Departure

Muffled in mist, the shouted words are indistinct. But she hears the rattle of heavy chain and the clangour of metal. The ship is making ready to depart for another week, and seven days’ aloneness descends again.

The ship’s horn gives a last bass call, like a circling raptor. Go and open the door, she thinks, but is afraid of the creatures that will populate the silence. Go and open the door. Death won’t be standing there in his dark fedora.

She opens the door, but drizzle shrouds the vessel heading into the sound. There is moisture on her cheek.

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fieldsto write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

This reminds me a lot of the song “The Sea” by Briege Murphy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BOj4kb95mk). A man going out to sea because it’s his job, or because he loves it, and the woman staying behind…worrying. Well done, Neil. 🙂